Nebraska Consortium of Tribal, State, and Federal Courts Engagement Sessions

Nebraska Consortium of Tribal, State, and Federal Courts Engagement Sessions

MEDIA ADVISORY

For more information contact:
Janet Bancroft | Public Information Officer | Nebraska Judicial Branch
P:  402-471-3205| C: 402-429-7635
janet.bancroft@nebraska.gov
 

The Nebraska Consortium of Tribal, State, and Federal Courts has invited Native American communities to share their thoughts and concerns about the court system in Nebraska at four public engagement sessions (dates and times below).


WHO:

The Nebraska Consortium of Tribal, State and Federal Courts with facilitators Judge William Thorne, Jr. (ret.) of the Pomo Tribe and Jennifer Walter, Consultant/Facilitator and former staff to California Tribal Court-State Court Forum.
 

WHAT:

Nebraska Tribal, State, and Federal Courts engagement with Native American community members.
 

WHEN:

November 5, 2019 - Omaha
5-8:30pm CASA for Douglas County
2412 St. Mary’s Ave, Omaha, Nebraska

November 6, 2019 - Niobrara
12-3:30pm Ohiya Casino
53142 Hwy 12, Niobrara, Nebraska

November 7, 2019 - Macy
9:30-12pm Nebraska Indian Community College
1111 US 75, Macy, Nebraska

November 7, 2019 – Winnebago
4-6:30pm Little Priest Tribal College
601 E College Road, Winnebago, Nebraska

 

The Consortium of Tribal, State, and Federal Courts will convene a number of discussion sessions within proximity to Native American populations in Nebraska. Participants will be given the opportunity to share their experiences and perceptions of the Tribal, State, and Federal courts. The information gathered through the discussion sessions will help to inform the future work of the Consortium in facilitating communication and collaboration between court systems. The discussion sessions are promoted in partnership with the tribes and include outreach to community leaders.

This public engagement initiative is designed to:

  • Improve Native Americans’ public trust and confidence in the courts;
  • Improve the state and federal courts’ confidence in and understanding of the tribal court system;
  • Identify ways to address disparate treatment in the court system with a specific focus on addressing jurisdictional issues among the tribal, state and federal courts and law enforcement entities; and
  • Improve judicial awareness and training regarding the realities faced by Native American populations in Nebraska.

Justice Stephanie Stacy noted, “By giving voice to our Native American communities and listening to the concerns of those who look to our tribal, state and federal courts to deliver swift, fair justice, we hope to improve the justice system in Nebraska and increase public trust and confidence in our courts.”

 Nebraska Supreme Court approved creation of a Consortium on Tribal State and Federal Courts in August 2018 – the public engagement project is the first major undertaking of the Consortium.  More information can be found on the Consortium on Tribal State and Federal Courts:

 

*Please note: These public engagement sessions are taking place during Native American Heritage Month https://nativeamericanheritagemonth.gov/

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The Nebraska Supreme Court’s Access to Justice Commission is co-chaired by Supreme Court Justice Stephanie Stacy and Nebraska State Bar Association Executive Director Liz Neeley and is one of six national recipients of a National Center for State Courts Public Engagement grant.